I skip the Pope’s house this time. I am always cautious not to disrespect another’s idea of beauty or religion, all I know is that I would never find light there. In the midst of droves of pilgrims making their way to the Basillica of St. Peter’s I am as usual walking in the opposite direction, towards the pagan past.
I diverged from Catholicism when my father sent me to discuss my Easter Duty with the parish priest. Although they exerted great pressure I wouldn’t come up with any interesting sins and refuted the idea of a 16 year old girl being forced to confess for some arbitrary feast day. I explained to the priest that people were basically good and anyway I had done nothing wrong……
Some how through steadfast argument I got away with it and never looked back. Instead I moved over to mystery as the only possible conclusion about life, death and who made the world. I fell in love with mother earth, constellations of stars, and the beauty of it all. I suppose I’m a kind of aesthetic/humanist if a label is ever needed.
That being said, I still harbour an appreciation of certain rituals and I especially love to indulge in candle lighting. These spaces where ordinary people are drawn to kneel are so full of hope in something magical and grander than ourselves. The congregation’s collective adoration is soothing and healing. Throw in a bit of singing, some ethereal shafts of sunlight and I find myself connecting with something deep and unfathomable……
And as I say my own prayer wishing for strength and peace, my mantra for this pilgrimage is like a constant flickering flame ……seek light, embrace shade and live in glorious colour……
Thank you for the invite to your Rome gallery. Wonderful photos!
Thanks! Rome is very photogenic…..
Thank you for sharing your photos and thoughts. I wasn't brought up to go to church but found my faith anyway. It's not always been easy to keep it and sometimes I feel as if I am hanging off a cliff and holding on by just my fingernails but somehow I can't let go. Much like life. Lovely photos. When my son was small he always referred to shafts of sunlight as miracles coming down. Philippa xx
Yes I know what he means…..I am always drawn to these random shafts of light….we used to say it was Holy God light…….
Great post and images,love how the light is coming through the window in the first photo..
Thanks Amanda…..seems this is something we all share…….we never tire of the ways light finds a way through………
I too find God in the sacred stillness of ritual, candle flame, grass under my feet, and in the songs of birds. I think there is more to faith than confession and showing up on Sunday. There is the soul. The pull of the spiritual always catches me unawares, but it is always so beautiful in its potency. The vulnerability, the opening-up, the deep gratitude, recognizing the souls of others- this is true religion. I seem to always say thank you when I come to this space, but your pictures and words always act as another aspect of the spiritual in my life.
Thanks Jill. I really love your words, "the vulnerability, the opening up, the deep gratitude…"…….yes I feel that too…….
"there is a crack, a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in"
L.Cohen
O Helen, isn't that just the perfect line…….love it!!
Love your photos of Rome, you've caught the mood of the city so well.
And where better to worship light and beauty than in the eternal city's many beautiful churches.
Mairead it is a delight. A feast for the eyes and the soul. Many thanks for your kind words:~)
We have different childhoods, dear Catherine, simply by virue of one of us being Protestant and the other Roman Catholic…and all within the same Christian faith! I love that at this time in our lives our caravans have joined hands, as it were, to continue the Pilgrimage we call Life. As always, I'm inspired by you…and how you tell your Story!
Ginnie, thank you for your lovely words. I hope you escaped the worst of it as I feel I did? There's nothing like a bit of post religious liberation, and enjoyment of all the good memories too. x
I love these photos, and I really like your post on this one Catherine. Not raised Catholic, however, I agree with you so much on these comments. Thank you very much again for this insight on Life!
Ah thanks, Catholicism is a complicated one, but as we get older we are all freer to choose our own paths:~))
As always you have shared amazing images and perfectly chosen words … a post to savour, for which thank you 🙂
Thanks Annie:~))
Love the photos Catherine, as usual first class post. Keep it coming
Nicely spoken Catherine…and a belated happy Easter…
I moved in a different direction from the church in college…I love your images of light….it is so lovely to seek it everywhere.